Poll: In a dramatic shift, Americans no longer see four-year college degrees as worth the cost

[DFW]

26. I can relate to that

Though I never would have survived courses in philosophy or business, my “useless” mix of courses that interested me and (mandatory) courses that didn’t (including a semester of economics 101 at Wharton!) prepared me for this insane (but incredibly rewarding) job I have. Though there were no courses in the practical aspects (counterfeit detection, security, travel agent skills), the language/literature courses were vital in enabling me to establish solid bonds with my work colleagues around the world, and the critical thinking skills necessary to maintain them.

Luckily, my parents, even on my dad’s print journalist’s salary, were able to afford my tuition (1970-1974, a different world), so aid wasn’t an issue. In my last years, I used to hang with a guy who had been on a scholarship, but was too lazy to maintain his grades, and flunked out. This was the Vietnam War era, and he knew he would be drafted. So, he volunteered for the air force, told them he spoke German and Russian, and was immediately sent to “spy school.” He spent his military career in some secluded office in West Berlin, listening in on, recording and transcribing Soviet Air Force communications by day, and playing Russian folk music with local Berlin musicians by night. At least he returned in one piece.